Paddles (2016 – 7 November 2017) was a ginger and white polydactyl cat,[1] owned by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford.

Paddles was a rescue cat, adopted by Ardern from a branch of the SPCA.

She became a celebrity as the "First Cat" after Ardern took office, and a Twitter account was established in her name.

[2][3] When U.S. President Donald Trump phoned Ardern to congratulate her for becoming Prime Minister in October 2017, Paddles interrupted the conversation.

[4] Paddles was run over by a car and killed in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier on 7 November 2017.